TAKE THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONA - No. 3
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
INTERNATIONAL
EB INNER WHEEL
W
MAGAZINE 2019-2020
No. 3 President Phyllis Charter
TAKE THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONA
Words from the Editor
READ AND BE INSPIRED
In this issue of our Web Magazine Wheel Day and International Wo-
you will find many interesting ar- men´s Day have been celebrated
ticles and reports. To be informed, all over the world. Read about some
inspired and impressed by, I hope. of the successful arrangements. It
Here you can read IIW President is also interesting to follow all the
Phyllis Charter´s words about our service projects under the umbrella
main asset – our brand name and “Caring for women and girls”. report from our UN representative
logotype and her message about You can read about three new Ulrike Nemling in Vienna. And lots
the coronavirus. MGAs and two very young (the of reports from many events in true
You can also follow her intensive youngest?) club presidents. We IW-Friendship, Personal Service
visiting program supporting mem- have special articles about two im- and International Understanding.
bers, clubs and districts around the portant subjects – female genital Enjoy your reading!
world. Together we can. The Inner mutilation and dementia - and a Kerstin Jonson
IIW Editor /MM 2019-2020
A NAME AND A SYMBOL TO SHARE
Our distinctive Inner Wheel logo is safeguarding the environment, cli-
a most valuable asset that should mate control, skills training, clean
be utilized better and more often. water, female hygiene provisions
My wish is to see this logo placed and many other challenges.
on every item that you donate and So let us all be proud of our he-
on every project that you underta- ritage by wearing our Inner Wheel
ke. How often do we do all the work badges and promoting Inner Wheel
and others get the credit? We have as the World’s largest women’s vol-
to advertise Inner Wheel, for if we unteer service organisation.
don’t no one else will! Let Inner Wheel be known as the
Let us show the world that our with disease awareness, poverty brand name for making dreams
Inner Wheel Logo is synonymous prevention, accessible education, come true. Yes, “Together We Can”
IIW President Phyllis Charter
CONTENTS
Words from the IIW President and the Editor...................... 2
Message from our president Phyllis Charter........................ 3
International Inner Wheel Day celebrations........................ 4
UN representative Ulrike reports from Vienna ................... 8 FRONT PAGE
Caring for Women and Girls. .................................................... 10 The Coronavirus pandemic has put
Together we can, visits by Phyllis............................................. 13 our work within Inner Wheel in a
Thoughts from BD Sandra Neretljakovic´............................. 17 completely new situation. Almost
To live with dementia.................................................................. 18 all activities have had to be chang-
International Women´s Day........................................................ 20 ed. But it has also opened up new
fields where our service can be a
Margarette Golding Awards...................................................... 22
valuable contribution.
A new generation is ready to take over.................................. 23 On the front page members
Sissel H. Michelsen: Stop Genital Mutilation....................... 24 of IWC Marikina in the Philippi-
Worldwide news from clubs, districts and projects........... 26 nes support frontliners attending
Covid-19 patients with food.
2 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020
International Inner Wheel President Phyllis Charter
OUR FIGHT AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS
With the coronavirus touch with one another Inner Wheel spirit alive,
spreading uncontrolla- on a Local, National and so that we can be ready
bly around the World, my International basis, so for when the World rights
thoughts and prayers are that we do not let any of it’s self on its axis and re-
with each and every one our own Members feel turns to normality.
of you as you try to un- that they have to cope
derstand and abide by all with this social isolation “Together we can” be
the rules that are applica- alone. strong and continue to
ble in your own countri- hold hands around the
es. Some of these are vol- “Together we can” reach World whilst remembe-
untary and others strictly out and strengthen our ring each other and all
imposed but, whichever Inner Wheel friendships those who we help or live
they are, they will cause and have contact with on their own and are vul-
isolation and possibly a each other via WhatsApp, nerable in our thoughts
feeling of helplessness. Instagram, Facebook and and prayers.
all other social media. By With all my love to you
Inner Wheel Members using these ways of com- and your families,
Phyllis
are by their very natu- munication we can show
re social and outgoing; how small the World is
more used in times of ad- and how large Inner Wheel
versity to helping others is.
than themselves. Whilst We are all treading into
not forgetting those fa- the unknown but I
milies and children that know that you will all
turn to us in difficult ti- be innovative and inspi-
mes, I ask you to keep in rational in keeping our
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 3
Celebrating International Inner Wheel Day 2020
A WOMAN WITH A VISION
"Inner Wheel Day, the 10th of January, celebrates the date of the
Inner Wheel meeting held in 1924. It is such a special day to us all
and is celebrated in so many different ways, by Clubs and Members
around the World, with the main intention of bringing Inner Wheel
into the public eye.
Margarette Golding achieved so have if 110,000 Inner Wheel Mem-
much in promoting Inner Wheel in bers in 104 Countries all shouted
the 1920´s and 30´s and all she had and celebrated at the same time
was a telphone and "slow" mail. what Inner Wheel achieves in ma-
Now we, the present members of king the world a safer and better
Inner Wheel have to be the Marga- place for all to live in. We can do
rette Golding of the 2020´s and use that, in our own way - in our own
every modern means available to locality, by making sure that our Text to the left from IIW President
attract new members to our won- celebrations are seen and heard Phyllis Charter´s message for Inner
derful organisation. publicly and in every form of soci- Wheel Day 2020.
Just imagine the effect it would al media." These are some examples from the
world wide celebrations.
CUT A CAKE IN PAKISTAN
IIW Day was celebrated by the Four Clubs of the District 342 got
District 342 on 10th of January. together and cut a cake to celebra-
NR Sadaf Sajeel also attended te 96th Anniversary of IIW.
the celebrations along with PNR Moreover, other Clubs of District
Tabbassum Tanvir, PNR Rubina Ha- 342 also celebrated IIW day in their
roon, and PNR Maimoona Pervaiz. respective Clubs.
On January 10, I was invited to be chief walker
during their promotional run across Kampala, CHARITY IN UGANDA
which was supervised by the police. The Inner
Wheel members receive great mental support
from the Rotary clubs. It was a great experience.
I have made new friends and I wish Uganda all
the best and hope to meet some of them during
the convention in Jaipur. They (and their Rotary
men) were enthusiastic about the idea.
Board Director Francine Beij-Mos
NEW ZEALAND CAN
The IWC of Palmerston North, NZ294, New Zealand, cele-
brated International Inner Wheel Day, 10th January. Using
IIW President Phyllis inspiring theme ‘Together we can’, we
encourage members worldwide to continue to work to-
gether for friendship, service and peace without borders.
4 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020Celebrating International Inner Wheel Day 2020
INDIA GOT AN IW STAMP
A stamp has been released with International Inner Wheel theme logo
"Together we can". The initiative was taken by Inner Wheel Club of
Chennai President Lakshmi Priya, by Past International Inner Wheel
President Kamala Ramakrishnan and received by District Chairman
Nallini Olivannan, to commemorate International Inner Wheel Day on
10th January 2020.
SINGING
SWEDISH ENVIROMENT IN GREECE
Stockholm-Ekeroe Margareta has been awarded se-
IWC Patra Europea, District 247
IWC hosted two veral medals for her work, one of
Greece celebrated Inner Wheel Day
other Stockholm which from our King. The presen-
2020 organizing a great event.
IW-clubs on the IW- tation was very well received and
More than 400 people attended
day. At the meeting made us all reflect about the deve-
this celebration inluding the City
Prof. Em. Margareta lopment we are facing.
and State Authorities who wished
Ihse held a presen-
the best to Inner Wheel and the
tation on environ-
Club.
mental change in Sweden. She
The famous greek singer of
talked about the large scale agricul-
modern music Myrwnas Stratis
ture and forestry's affects on fauna
sang and made all the participants
and diversity in respect of insects,
have an unforgettable night.
wild flowers and animal habitats.
The event was also organized
She asked for better planning
in order to fundraise the social
and control for the benefit of the
project of the club which is the
environment and our well being.
support of children, students of
the special schools of our city with
NEW BORN ON THE IIW DAY Down Syndrome and other disabi-
lities.
To mark the International Inner
Wheel Day, the National Repre-
sentative/President of Inner Wheel
Clubs in Nigeria Adekemi Adeyemi
and members of IWCs in Delta visi-
ted Ekpan General hospital.
There they presented cash and
gift to the new baby born on Janu-
ary 10th 2020. We named her Mar-
garet....
Inner Wheel is good.
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 5Celebrating International Inner Wheel Day 2020
MALAYSIA
GOT TALENT
IWC of Taiping, Malaysia, organi-
zed the World Inner Wheel Day for
D330 on 18th January. The event
was to celebrate its first Inner Whe-
el Club meeting and to raise funds
for Sekolah Semangat Maju (SSM),
school for mentally challenged
children.
The event was graced by IIW Presi-
dent Phyllis Charter. A total of 250
members and friends were treated
to a fun-filled day with high tea,
shopping booths, photo session
and sumptuous dinner. SUPPORT IN NIGERIA
FOR MAKEUP ARTISTRY
January 10, 2020, the President and paid for the fees, also bought
IWM Maureen Agbarakwe and equipment for them to help them
members of IWC of Warri Metro- carry out their work effectively.
politan commenced their project Both of them are OND degree hol-
of training two persons, a boy and ders. They were filled with joy and
a girl, on makeup artistry. grateful to the President and mem-
The night ended with a thrillig The Club sent the two of them bers of the Club.
Inner Wheel´s Got Talent contest. to a place where they can study
THE TWINNING PROTOCOL
IWC of Petra, District 95 Egypt & The event was celebrated in the
Jordan signed a twinning proto- presence of IIW President Mrs. Phyl-
col with IWC of Dalyan, District lis Charter and 16 members from
242 Turkey, in Istanbul, Turkey on Petra. Mrs. Manal Nahawi President
A PIECE OF CAKE !
the 10th of January coinciding of IWC of Petra and Mrs. Emine Uzel
with International Inner Wheel President of IWC of Dalyan signed
Day. the twinning protocol.
6 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020Celebrating International Inner Wheel Day 2020
Together From left to right; Alessandra Colcelli Past President National Council, –
The president of IWC Tampere-Kaleva Cinzia Tomatis National Representative, Adalberta Messeri- Club of Firenze Iris
Marja-Liisa Liusvaara welcomed all. President, Daniela Soderi Past District Chairman, Marita Scarpa Club of Florence
President, Dott B. Mazzolai ,Paola Club of Follonica President, Franca Di Cesare
Romagnoli 209 District Chairman
A FINNISH
TRADITION ITALIAN IW-AWARD
TO A FEMALE SCIENTIST
24 active ladies from IWC Tam- The “Inner Wheel Donna Toscana Center in Pontedera (Tuscany): she
pere and IWC Tampere-Kaleva, Award” was created by the Inner realized a Plantoid Robot.
Finland, celebrated the IW-Day Wheel Club of Florence in 1996, Dr Mazzolai’s researches re-
together. The day was organised with the aim of rewarding women sult from the observation of mo-
by IWC Tampere-Kaleva. It has that in their cultural and working vement of the animal and plant
been a tradition for the clubs to abilities had honored Tuscany. world. These robots have multiple
celebrate this day together, each This year 2019-2020, under the purposes from microsurgery, to
club in turn hosting the meeting. presidency of Marita Scarpa, Past space exploration and environmen-
The program included music District Chairman, the award was tal monitoring.
entertainment and an interes- given to Dr Barbara Mazzolai, Bio- It is up to humans to use
ting lecture on nutrition of adult logist and Microsystem Engineer. scientific discoveries for beneficial
people with the title “Provisions She was rewarded for her work as purposes.
for the new year”. coordinator of Micro-Bio Robotic
FRIENDSHIP CELEBRATED IN FRANCE
Saint-Malo IWC in France wanted to celebrate
the Inner Wheel Day with their friend Janine
Collyer (with the flag) who can no longer move
because of her poor health. She is now isolated
but is someone who was very active in the Club.
The members very much regret her absence,
her pleasant character and her sense of humour.
This little moment of shared pleasure was a time
to celebrate epiphany in conviviality and good
spirits
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 7Ulrike Nemling UN representative in Vienna
WE TAKE THE FIGHTS AGAINST
DRUGS AND INTERNATIONAL CRIME
UNODC works to educate people
throughout the world about the
dangers of drug abuse and to
strengthen international action
against illicit drug production and
trafficking and drug-related crime.
To achieve those aims, UNODC has
launched a range of initiatives, in-
cluding alternatives in the area of
illicit drug crop cultivation, moni-
"We must realise that the field of - Alternative development toring of illicit crops and the imple-
activities of UNODC is enormous" - Corruption mentation of projects against mo-
reports IIW representative Ulri- - Crime prevention, criminal justice ney laundering.
ke Nemling from her UN work in - Cybercrime In December 2019 there was
Vienna. UNODC stands for The - Drug prevention, treatment, care a joint meeting in Vienna with the
United Nations Office on Drugs - Drug trafficking Commission of Narcotic Drug and
and Crime. -Firearms the Commission on Crime Preven-
- Falsified medical products tion and Criminal Justice to discuss
- HIV and AIDS strategic managements, budget-
- Trafficking in persons and smugg- ary and administrative matters of
ling of migrants UNODC.
- Maritime crime and piracy
For global control of MAPA
- Money-laundering
The main topics of the reconvened
- Organized crime
sessions in autumn are administra-
- Terrorism prevention
tive and budgetary matters.
- Wildlife and forest crime.
At the session of the Commissi-
For two decades, the United Na-
on of Narcotic Drugs, the President
tions Office on Drugs and Crime
of the International Narcotics Con-
(UNODC) has been helping to make
trol Board (INCB), announced the
the world safer from drugs, organi-
INCB’s decision to recommend the
zed crime, corruption and terrorism.
international control of methyl alp-
UNODC is committed to achieving
ha-phenylacetoacetate (MAPA), a
health, security and justice for all by
pre-precursor used in the illicit ma-
tackling these threats and promo-
nufacturing of amphetamine and
This office based in Vienna is a glo- ting peace and sustainable well-be-
methamphetamine.
bal leader in the fight against illicit ing as deterrents to them.
The Board conducted an assess-
drugs and international crime, in
ment of MAPA based on informa-
addition to being responsible for Together we can solve it
tion received from 50 governments
implementing the United Nations Since the scale of these problems
and concluded that there are no le-
lead programme on terrorism. is often too great for states to con-
gitimate uses of MAPA. This is a sub-
Established in 1997, UNODC has front alone, UNODC offers practical
stitute chemical for several amp-
approximately 500 staff members assistance and encourages transna-
hetamine and methamphetamine
worldwide. Its headquarters are in tional approaches to action. UNODC
precursors although it is regularly
Vienna and it operates 20 field offi- does this in all regions of the world
advertised by a number of online
ces, as well as liaison offices in New through their global programmes
suppliers. The number of seizures
York and Brussels. The office is dea- and network of field offices.
and the amounts seized have been
ling with many various topics:
8 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020a concern since the emergence
of MAPA in 2017. By scheduling
MAPA, INCB hopes to see an im-
pact on the availability of MAPA
for illicit drug manufacturing pur-
poses, and a first step towards an
encompassing solution addres-
sing designer precursors.
Experienced board
The INCB (International Narcotic
Control Board) has 13 members,
each elected by the Economic
and Social Council for a period of
five years. INCB members may be
re-elected. Ten of the members
are elected from a list of persons
nominated by Governments. An important link Force. Through this Task Force,28
The remaining three members Established in 1983, the Vien- civil society representatives had
are elected from a list of per- na NGO Committee on Drugs been chosen to represent NGOs
sons nominated by the World (VNGOC) provides a link between from every region of the world, as
Health Organization (WHO) for non-governmental organisations well as the key populations and
their medical, pharmacological and the Vienna-based agencies in- constituencies.
or pharmaceutical experience. volved in setting drug policy: the
Once they have been elected, UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
INCB members serve impartially (CND), the International Narcotics
in their personal capacity, inde- Control Board (INCB), and the Uni-
pendently of Governments. ted Nations Office on Drugs and Cri-
INCB is the independent, qua- me (UNODC). The VNGOC also work
si-judicial body charged with pro- closely with its sister the New York
moting and monitoring Govern- NGO Committee on Drugs (NYNG-
ment compliance with the three OC) when working with other UN
international drug control conven- bodies such as the General Assem-
tions: the 1961 Single Convention bly (GA) and the Economic and So-
on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Con- cial Council (ECOSOC).
vention on Psychotropic Substan- Throughout 2018 and 2019,
ces, and the 1988 Convention aga- the bulk of our work was delive-
inst Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs red in collaboration with NYNGOC
and Psychotropic Substances. through a new Civil Society Task The Committee comprises around
200 members from around
the world. Members are the big
NGOs as well as NGOs on grass
root level in Asia, South America
and Africa.
Meetings take place during the
commissions or on short notice in
between. Most of the meetings are
video conferences.
Ulrike Nemling
UN representative in Vienna
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 9KEEPING THE RICKSHAW PULLERS DRY
Rickshaw puller is quite a familiar
figure in Bangladesh. They lead
a very hard life and earn little to
meet two square meals a day for
their families by working from
dawn to dusk. They pull the
rickshaw even in heavy rains and
suffer much on a rainy day. They
pass the whole day in misery. They
get drenched and sometimes
become ill, still they have no choice
rather than pull rickshaw. He and
his family are bound to starve.
Inner Wheel Club of Dhaka
Cosmopolitan felt their misery
and decided to distribute raincoats,
clothes and food among rickshaw
pullers. The motives were - keep
them dry on a rainy day, provide
food in the house, reduce the
chance to become sick. It is an
attempt to respond to a rickshaw
puller’s basic needs on a rainy day.
A DAY OF FUN IN SINGAPORE
10,000 TOYS TO 3,000 NEEDED CHILDREN
IWC of Singapore and the organisation "Food
from the Heart" arranged a day of real fun i No-
vember 2019. Under-privileged children from
welfare homes as well as students under the
Financial Assistance Scheme from neighbour-
hood schools were invited to this event held
at the Nanyang Polytechnic in Ang Mo Kio.
IWC of Singapore with support from corporate
sponsors and hundreds of volunteers made it
a day of fun, games, and food for the children.
IW-members took care of the unloading,
sorting and wrapping of all the toys. It was an
impressive collection of 10,000 toys to be dist-
ributed to about 3,000 children. Excess toys
were given to other homes after the event. It
was an exciting and exhausting day, but it was
worth it when you could see the glee and hap-
piness on the children’s faces.
All tiredness was forgotten!
10 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020HYGIENE & SANITATION FIGHTING
CANCER
Porto Novo IWC, Senegal. On
October 26, 2019, at the Ahouanb-
gbo Market: Awareness raising on
the early detection of breast and
uterine cancers followed by the
donation of protective equipment
and work tools (plastic basins, bas-
kets, trays and aprons) to a group of
women selling smoked fish by Go-
vernor Nathalie, President Rékiath
and CEO Francine who symbolical-
ly donated a set of materials to the
President, Secretary and Treasurer
IWC Dhaka Buriganga, D 345, Bangladesh, has organized a successful
of the Group.
project on hygien & sanitation at a remote village school of Northern
The rest of the equipment will
Bangladesh.
be distributed among the various
members of the group.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT FOR
MULTICULTURAL SUPPORT
Nurmijärvi IWC, Finland, organised a Christmas concert in the church of
Nurmijärvi with a famous Finnish singer Pepe Willberg singing accompa-
nied by the Christmas Trio. We heard many of the Christmas carols, which
were dear to us from our childhood.
The concert was sponsored by many local companies so that we could
donate a nice amount to the Life Education Foundation in Finland in
order to create a new program for multicultural integration in schools and
society. The program has a target to increase individual self esteem and
give healthy choises for children. In Finland the special teachers of the
Foundation reach 110 schools and over 24 000 children each year with
this program. The Life Education Foundation in Finland is supported by
Inner Wheel, Rotary and other organizations.
WINE & LOVE
IWC Burgas, Bulgaria, organized
a charity initiative “Wine&Love”
for supporting their charity cause
"Care of a woman”. All the ladies
were dressed in the red colour of
love and were in a festive mood.
The church managed to give space for 450 persons at the concert in Nurmijärvi.
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 11IWC EFES HAS MANY GOOD ACTIVITIES
IWC Efes, Turkey, organized a District 244 and IW club Efes, conse- versity of Bosphorus for a workshop
meeting on March 11 to host the cutively. and to see ‘Alice’ performance with
District President, Tuna Özgiller. Activities of IWC Efes: A visit to the students, a truck of equipments
The District President and the the elderly home with some stu- and supplies sent to the earthquake
Club President, Asli Akduman, gave dents of Barbaros Hayrettin Primary victims in Elazığ, a city in the East of
information about the activities of School, a trip to İstanbul to visit Uni- Turkey.
POPULAR READING FOR YOUNG GERMANS
On the Inner Wheel Day members of IWC Göttingen,
Germany, visited the Elisabeth Heimpel Haus. It is a
preschool institution caring for children between the
ages 1 to 6 years i.e. until they enter school.
51 children are presently being taken care of in this very
spacious house with lots of daylight. These children come
from many different backgrounds, and many are not Ger-
man speaking when first coming here. Our club had been
already in contact with this institution previously with a
small project.
This time we had offered to come and read to the child-
ren. We had been provided with appropriate books, which
as it turned out the children were well acquainted with. Before leaving we had a very interesting visit with
When the books we had prepared for were finished they the staff and discussed further projects that our In-
immediately asked for more. The atmosphere was relaxed ner Wheel Club could possibly realize together.
and enjoyable.
SUPPORT TO NEW BORN BABIES IN TURKEY
On 6th of February members of Dalyan IWC , Turk-
ey, with the club president Emine Uzel, visited Kartal
Training and Research Hospital, Newborn Baby Unit
(Kartal Eğitim Araştırma Hastahanesi – Yenidoğan
Bölümü). Head of the Department, Prof. Yasemin
Akın, welcomed the club members.
In this section, for the new born and premature
babies various materials were supplied and presen-
ted ( such as stethoscopes, baby bottles, baby care
oil, pillow cases, clothings for babies, hats, socks,
blankets and some others). Appreciated gifts.
12 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020Phyllis Charter on the World Wide Tour
ENGAGING SPEECH FOR D 211 IN PALERMO
On February 1th President Phyllis Charter visited
District 211 in Palermo, Italy. She was accompanied
by her husband Paul Charter and by the Italian National
Representative Cinzia Tomatis Fermani. The President of
the Italian National Council Lina de Gioia-Carabellese
was there too.
The meeting with the District members took pla-
ce at Villa Chiaramonte Bordonaro, where the District
Chairman Cristina La Grassa presented the district pro-
grams and services.
The International President delivered an interesting
and engaging speech; With her motto "Together we
can", she invited all IW members to cement friendship,
IIW P Phyllis Charter, 211 DC Cristina La Grassa, NR Cinzia Toma- reaffirm their identity and make their dreams come true.
tis Fermani, P Lina de Gioia-Carabellese
ROTATING LIBRARY PROJECT
FOR STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA
In January President Phyllis Charter The next stop was made in Ipoh for
made a successful tour of Malaysia. a joint meeting with three IW clubs.
During the intense days, she had The visit in Kuala Lumpur included a
the opportunity to meet many IW walk in Taman Tugu Eco Park and in-
members and follow their engaging formation about the Green Project
club activities. In addition to interes- sponsored by IWC of Petaling Jaya.
ting sightseeing, the visit included a In Kuala Lumpur, an appreciated
number of club and district events. fashion show with batik clothing
In Taiping over 170 members was arranged. Also a visit to a
from 19 out of 22 clubs in D 330 school involved in the club's project
were gathered to mark the IW-Day. "The Rotating Library" (see pho-
A number of guests from other to). The aim is to stimulate book
districts also came to this meeting. reading among school students.
CHARTERING
CAMPOAMOR
A new club was born in Spain. To
celebrate that occasion from left
Board Director Bambi De Ceun-
inck-Leunckens, Charter President
Inner Wheel Club of Campoamor
Mary Anne Gronningen, IIW Presi-
dent Phyllis Charter and Chariman,
Constitution Committee Corinne
Dalleur. A top level meeting!
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 13700 CELEBRATED 70 IW-YEARS AT
THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN MANILA
More than 700 delegates from
the nine Inner Wheel districts all
over the Philippines attended its
54th National Conference in Ma-
nila in February. Coincidentally,
this year marks the 70th year of
existence of Inner Wheel in the
Philippines.
In a Photo Exhibit at the Conference,
clubs creatively featured its flagship
Ribbon cutting at the opening of the 54thPhilippine National Conference in Manila.
projects in a collage of pictures. A From left IWCPI National Representative Reylina Nicolas, IIW Board Director Zenaida
Commercial Exhibit exhibited local- Farcon, NATCON Chairman Nona Ricafort, IIW President Phyllis Charter, IWCPI National
President Amelia Jarin and Photo Exhibit Chairman Past District Chairman Jolet Ber-
ly made products and services. berabe.
Phyllis Charter keynote speaker The formal business meeting was and strengthen partnership in
IIW President Phyllis Charter was presided by National President implementing projects. It was
keynote speaker. She acknowled- Amelia Jarin. She showcased followed by a heart-warming seg-
ged all the clubs who are imple- the different projects she visi- ment – Babae Ka! (You are a Wo-
menting projects in their respective ted during her first six months of man), featured projects focused
communities. She emphasized that presidency and encouraged the on Women and Children.
each club should promote our or- District Chairman to continue im- Audio visual presentations are
ganization in caring for women and plementing high-impact projects testimonies of the challenges fa-
children. "Our name (Inner Wheel) for women and children. National ced by these women and children
must relate with our work for wo- Representative Reylina Nicolas battling with depression and anx-
men and children... let us together reported on the different IIW-UN iety because of their experiences
build a safe place for our world to- ECOSOC activities celebrated in being abandoned, abused phy-
day.” the country and charter papers sically and emotionally - raped,
were presented to ten new and battered and bullied, and how our
revived IW clubs. members reached out and helped
Important partnership them so they can move on and
A Memorandum of Understan- live a better and brighter future.
ding was signed between IWCPI
and Infant and Pediatric Nutrition Sustainable goals
Association of the Philippines. This This was concluded with the
signifies partnership between the speech of the Past National Pre-
two organizations in promoting sident Mary Jane Ortega, mem-
projects to improve the health ber of the Steering committees
and nutrition especially of infants on Public Places, Safer Cities of
and young children. UN Habitat. In her speech she dis-
On the second day of the Confe- cussed the importance of the 17
rence there was a Foundation Hour Sustainable Development Goals
where donors were recognized by of the United Nation and promo-
the Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philip- ting Safer Cities through Social
pines Foundation, Inc. Cohesion.
Members had fun during
the Sister Club Activity where The conference ended with a Ta-
two “sister” clubs from different lent Night themed Celebrating Wo-
Districts met to gain new friends men on Broadway.
14 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020SIGNING THE MEMORANDUM
During the Conference an important Memo-
randum of Understanding was signed between
IWCPI National President Amelia Jarin and Infant
and and Pedriatric Nutrition Association of the
Philippines (IPNAP) represented by its Executi-
ve Director Dr. Anthony Rolando T. Golez Jr. The
memorandum signifies partnership between
the two organizations in promoting projects to
improve health and nutrition espacially of in-
fants and young children.
GUEST OF HONOR AND SPEAKER
Left: Guest of Honor and Speaker for the 2nd day of
the National Conference in Manila; Past National
President Mary Jane Ortega, former Mayor of
La Union City and former member of the United
Nations Council of Local Authorities and member
of the Steering committees on Public Places, Safer
Cities of UN Habitat.
DRESSED FOR SUCCESS
District Chairmen wearing their beauti-
ful Philippine Festival gowns, from left:
Luzviminda Garcia (D377), Jeisela Gaier-
lan (D379), Araceli Mendoza (D385), Mary
Co (D382), Mary Anne Gutierrez (D378),
Ruby Cabarloc (D383) and Dallaz Eure
(D381).
BROADWAY WOMEN
District 380 performed "My Fair Lady" and won
1st prize during the Talent Night that concluded
the successful National Conference in the Phi-
lippines. Almost like Julie Andrews & Co. Other
districts celebrating Women on Broadway during
that night: D377 Moulin Rouge, D378 Grease,
D379 Sister Act, D381 Step Up, D382 Chicago,
D383 Burlesqe, D385 Sweet Charity, and D386
South Pacific. The Philippines got talent!
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 15MUSIC TEACHER AWARDED FOR
OUTSTANDING VOLONTARY WORK
A lunch was organized by IWC İzmir, Turkey, to cele-
brate International Women’s Day. Prof. Dr. Benal İnceer
from the Department of Psychiatry in İzmir Aegean Uni-
versity gave a speech on Science of Costume Demon-
stration.
A retired music teacher, Kamuran Oktay who works
voluntarily to teach music to students and who prepares
them for music academies was given a plaquette for her
outstanding efforts. She also has formed a mandolin band
from retired music teachers. A mini mandolin concert was
planned for the day but had to be cancelled. All clubs of
district 244 participated in the event enjoying IW friends-
hip and sharing the Women’s Day activities.
IWC LEARNING CENTER ALMOST 50
During her tour to the Philippines President Phyllis
Charter visited IWC Quezon City Learning Center. It is
considered as one of the oldest maintained Learning
Centers among the Inner Wheel Clubs in the Philippi-
nes. This was established by Past International Inner
Wheel President Esther Vibal when she was still the Club
President in 1972.
It has been maintained by the club for almost five (!)
decades. The Learning Center is not only a venue for edu-
cation for the children but also a central venue of the club
in implementing their projects such as their free medical
and dental services.
UPCYCLED PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN
they can be used to raise funds.
Members from IWC Kuala Lum-
pur donated old shirts, which were
cut up and tied into stylish tote
bags – no sewing needed! The two
clubs also presented these to In-
ternational Inner Wheel President
Phyllis Charter during her visit to
Kuala Lumpur.
For the hair pins and hair ties,
the girls cut up old fabric and sewed
Championing sustainability and 32 pretty hair pins and ties were them into individual petals, which
aiming to empower others, the created, and will be given to a were then sewn into the shape of a
young ladies of IWC Intan Kua children’s home for Intan’s Easter flower. Fabric and wooden buttons
Lumpur, Malaysia, upcycled old project. The girls will also teach were glued in the middle, before
t-shirts and fabric into tote bags, and empower the children to elastic bands and pins were glued
hair ties and hair pins. make these themselves, so that to the bottom.
16 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020Thoughts from Board Director Sandra Neretljakovic´, Croatia
ONE GOAL FOR ALL
We are almost 100 years old and we are one of the largest women's
organizations in the world. We are often interested in how to attract
new members and increase membership. We discuss purely technical
issues, how to attract young members, how to set up youth clubs, etc.
What do we do for the world? not have enough time. They don't
We are often asked who we are and need club membership just to soci-
what exactly we do for the world? alize, young women want to act for
And we often hear that we are the the benefit of the society in which
best kept secret. We offer friend- they live. They want to invest their
ship, personal service and interna- knowledge and experience in pro-
tional understanding ... don't you jects that will be recognized both in of the world's largest women's or-
think it's too general in today's con- the local community and interna- ganizations, this goal should be to
crete world. tionally. Of course they love friend- help solve women's problems.
Maybe we should think more ship and fun, but social services,
about the content, what to offer to projects and activities are more of a The pillar of the family
young women who want to change focus for potential members. A woman is a pillar of the family, if
the world around them. Given that we are a worldwide we help a woman we will help her
The world is changing fast and organization with almost 110,000 children, her man and all the pe-
what we offered 100 years ago is members worldwide, we should ople around her. We will see the po-
out of tune with the times we live in have one goal, one problem that we sitive reverberations of this action
and has to change in line with the want to solve. This way, all members more broadly. Finally, circulation
times, needs of society and indivi- can identify with the internatio- of information about successful ac-
duals. nal dimension of the organization tivities and projects, members’
and feel like an international mem- commitment, dedication and
Young women want to act ber. Why? Because every member leadership could result in a
Today, young women have friends would play a small role in solving considerable increase of mem-
and their social circles, but they do the world problem. For us, as one bership of all ages.
Sandra Neretljaković
IIW Board Director 2019/2020
ANNIVERSARY SLOVENIAN CELEBRATIONS
Non-districted IW Club Maribor, tional Theatre in Maribor. The event ry, Rotaract members, Soroptimist
Slovenia has had its 20th Anniversa- was very successful with more than members and friends. The President
ry celebration on 24th January 2020. 200 guests, lots of IW members of the club Evalda Bizjak welcomed
at the Concert Hall of Slovenian Na- from Maribor and Ljubljana, Rota- the gathered and thanked everyone
for their participation. The charity
concert was supported by Sloveni-
an National Theatre in Maribor and
SAZAS.and marked the Inner Wheel
World Day and the 20th anniversary
of IWC Maribor. The funds from this
year’s concert are intended to pay
for physiotherapy services to users
of the “Sonček Pragersko” residenti-
al community.
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 17An important subject
TO LIVE WITH DEMENTIA
The situation of the elderly is one of Inner Wheel's rious forms of disability. It is, for example common
priority areas worldwide. Many different projects for many elderly people to experience memory
are run by members in clubs and districts and so- disorders. Often the memory problems are trans-
metimes at the national levels. The situation of ient, but it can also be the first step to a dementia
the elderly is also an important and relevant topic disease.
within several UN organs and committees. Dementia is one of the major causes of disability
With aging comes increased risk of illness and va- and dependency among older people worldwide.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a collective name for
pathological changes in the brain
that affect memory and thinking
ability. Dementia is always caused
by illness and is not a normal age
change. Most often, the disease af-
fects older people. In rare cases, you
can get dementia at the age of 40 or
even earlier.
Dementia is now a people's disease.
Worldwide, around 50 million pe-
ople have dementia, and there are
nearly 10 million new cases every
year.
Estimated global cost of demen- lieving medications for some de- Is dementia hereditary?
tia exceeds USD 1 trillion! That is mentia diseases. There is also a gre- You could say that the second most
USD 1 000 000 000 000. More wo- at deal of knowledge today about common risk of dementia is if there
men than men live with dementia how to relieve various symptoms are many people with dementia in
(at any age) and more women than that often occur in dementia. De- the family. However, this does not
men die from dementia. mentia has also a physical, psycho- mean that one will suffer because
The most common form of de- logical, social and economic impact, many are ill in the family, but the
mentia is Alzheimer's disease and not only on people with dementia, risk increases. The most common
may contribute to 60-70% of cases. but also on their caretakers, families risk of getting dementia is reaching
In case of obvious memory pro- and society at large. a really high age.
blems, it is important to contact a
doctor as soon as possible to find Can you protect yourself from Can alcohol lead to dementia?
out the cause. It does not have to be dementia by solving crosswords Yes, extensive alcohol consumption
a dementia disease but something and playing sudoku? over a longer period can lead to
completely different e.g. vitamin There is a fairly strong scientific sup- alcohol dementia. Alcohol in large
deficiency, infectious disease, de- port that regular "brain gymnastics" quantities is nerve toxic.
pression, stress or drug effects. is good for keeping nerve cells run-
ning. But there is no guarantee that Are there brake medications for
Is it only the elderly who suffer you will not suffer from dementia. Alzheimer's disease?
from dementia? Can I test myself to see if I am at No, unfortunately, there is no cura-
Unfortunately, people under 65 risk of dementia? At present, there tive treatment or medication that
can also suffer. However, most of are no reliable simple tests and no can stop Alzheimer's. However,
them are between 60 and 64 years. curative treatment. However, it is there are symptom-relieving drugs
Is it possible to cure a dementia di- important to consult a doctor if you that in many cases have a good ef-
sease? No, today there is no cure. are worried about symptoms that fect at the beginning of the disease
However, there are symptom-re- you do not recognize. course.
18 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020Can dementia be confused with
other diseases?
Depression, confusion and some
other conditions can cause demen-
tia-like symptoms. Therefore, it is
very important to seek contact with
doctors when something is not as it
was before.
HIGH PRIORITY
TOPIC IN THE WORLD
TREATMENT AND CARE
Even if there is no treatment currently to cure dementia much can be
offered to support and improve the lives of people with dementia and
their caretakers and families. The principal goals for dementia care are:
--early diagnosis in order to promote early and optimal management
--optimizing physical health, cognition, activity and well-being
--identifying and treating accompanying physical illness
--detecting and treating challenging behavioural and psychological
WHO (World Health Assembly)
symptoms
recognizes dementia as a public
--providing information and long-term support to carers.
health priority and has endorsed a
special global plan for this disease.
Martine Gayon, our IIW UN re-
EXAMPLES OF SYMPTOMS
presentative in New York informs
that there will be an Open Working
--Problems with performing everyday tasks.
Group on Ageing in April at the UN
--Forgetting where they keep things. Losing track of the time.
Headquarters in New York where
--To forget about agreements with others.
this subject will be on the agenda.
--Difficulty finding the right word when talking.
The UN Vienna NGO Committee
--Difficulty finding the way shopping, walking or driving.
on Ageing had an event on Octo-
--Difficulties in making decisions and doing things.
ber 1st, 2019 to observe “The in-
--Losing interest in things that you previously thought was fun.
ternational Day of Older Persons”,
- To get away from socializing with other people.
reports Ceja Gregor-Hu the IIW UN
--Difficulties in managing stress.
Representative in Vienna. One of
--Some of these symptoms should have been present for at least six
the panellists at that meeting was
months to diagnose dementia.
Stefania Ilinca, PhD, a researcher
at the European Centre for Social
Welfare Policy and Research. Some TIPS FOR ACCOMMODATION
facts/figures and illustrations in this
article are from her presentation. There are some great tips when it comes to housing for a dementia
Others are from WHO and Svenskt sufferer.
Demenscentrum. - E.g. one can have a curtain to be able to hide a mirror. A demented
person may perceive seeing another person in the mirror.
- In order for the dementia sufferer to understand where the toilet
is, there should be clear divergent colors that show where the seat
is located.
- The light button is also colorful to be seen / found.
- Should fish be served it should not be done on a white plate. Then
the white fish is not visible.
- A blue carpet can be perceived as a puddle or lake.
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 19International Women´s Day
EACH FOR EQUAL
International Women´s Day (IWD) is celebra-
ted on the 8th of March every year around the
world.It is a focal point in the movement for
women´s rights. This years theme was "I am Ge-
neration Equality: Realizing Women´s Rights".
From the beginning it was predo- remain unchanged in law and in marks a time for action in hastening
minantly celebrated by the soci- culture. Women and girls continue women's equality.
alist movement and communist to be undervalued.; they work International Inner Wheel is dedi-
countries until it was adopted by more and earn less and have fewer cated to the pursuit of a society
the feminist movement in about choices; and experience multiple in which women are given equal
1967. The United Nations began forms of violence at home and in opportunity and are equally re-
celebrating the day in 1977. From public spaces. Furthermore, the- presented in every sector.
UN Women at the United Nations re is a significant threat of roll- On Women’s Day, Inner Wheel
Headquarters in New York 2020: back of hard-won feminist gains.” Members have the opportunity
“The emerging global consen- IIW President Phyllis Charter: to ensure that women’s voices are
sus is that despite some progress, “March 8th, International Wo- heard and that the right support is
real change has been agonizingly men's Day is a global day with the given to those who are vulnerable.”
slow for the majority of women and Theme – Each for Equal –and the Here you can see how some In-
girls in the world. Today, not a single achievements of women must be ner Wheel clubs around the world
country can claim to have achieved celebrated in the social, economic celebrated the day.
gender equality. Multiple obstacles and cultural sectors. The day also
DOING SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE
As Singapore faces COVID-19 challenges, all our
hospital medical healthcare staff are working tireless-
ly 24/7 saving lives.
In connection with International Women’s Day
on 8th March, the IWC Singapore members wanted
to show their support and appreciation to one such
hospital and that is the National University Hospital
(NUH).
We are grateful to the frontline staff as well as the
back-end staff such as the cleaners, sweepers, ambu-
lance drivers, medical assistants, social volunteers etc.
Items donated by the club were delivered to the National
University Hospital:
MILO - 1860 sachets, Cereal - 1440 sachets, Biscuits - 900
packets - sponsored by Shopmore Grocery.
We have also included six A4 size pages of “Notes of
Encouragement ” for the hospital staff and we request
that these Notes be put up on the board in the Staff room
wherever possible.
20 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020International Women´s Day
FINE PR FOR IW IN SWEDEN
Saturday evening, the 7th of March male network: Inner Wheel, and we
2020, club members from Gislaved showed them information material
IWC, Sweden, participated in a city regarding our service projects. The
event arranged in connection with Swedish ”Little blue" info-folder was
the International Women´s Day. given to them and we look forward
Only women were invited and to having new members in our In-
most of them visited us in our Inner ner Wheel Club in the near future.
Wheel booth. There we informed We need to support each other
them about our most important fe- and TOGETHER WE CAN .
IWCAS VISITS HOME FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE
On 9 March 2020, the IWC Alor Setar (IWCAS), Ma- ly abled and special children and adults. Here, they
laysia, visited the "Pusat Khidmat Setempat OKU" in are taught self-management and basic living skills.
Bedong. Kedah. It is a day care centre for the different- IWCAS members had the opportunity to mingle with
these special people and conducted a round of fun
zumba with them.
Members were given a briefing by the manage-
ment on how the Centre is managed and run and
how the children learn to sew and sell their handi-
craft. After that, they enjoyed a delicious lunch, cour-
tesy of IWCAS.
These special children/adults seem to cope so well
in spite of the numerous obstacles and discomfort
they face. Spending a day with them made us realise
how lucky we are and we found ourselves thanking
God for the life we have, something that we often ti-
mes forget to do and get a memory jolt only when we
visit centres like this. A big thank you to management
for having us.
D 914 PUT SMILES ON MANY FACES
To mark International Women's D WAEC fees were paid for 10 se-
ay, the District Chairman Rose condary school students.
Chinwe Ezeadikwa of D 914, Ni- Lectures were also given to the
geria, and her team decided to students of Girls High School
put smiles on the faces of our Azuiyiokwu Abakaliki on health
less privileged children who can- habits and sanitary towels were
not pay examination fees or buy distributed to over 300 students.
school uniforms etc. The Project Together we were able to put
was commissioned as follows.... smiles on the faces of these child-
School uniforms, exercise books ren. To God be the Glory.
etc were distributed to over 60 pri- It was a beautiful day as the
mary school pupils of Ugwuachara children and their teachers were
Primary School, Abakaliki. happy and grateful to Inner Wheel
Clubs in D914.
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 21New deserved recipients of the Margarette Golding Award
An award was created, in 2000, in the name of ner Wheel members, or to members of the gene-
Margarette Golding, the founder of Inner Wheel, ral public, for outstanding personal service, which
for highly commendable personal service to the must be completely unconnected with work on be-
community. The award (MGA) may be given to In- half of Inner Wheel or Inner Wheel fundraising.
DATIN PEARL IN MALAYSIA
Datin Pearl Jai Mohan is the Lumpur where she has
founder of the “Whispering Hope” strengthened its finan-
Campaign. It has provided books, cial status and increa-
stationery, uniforms, shoes and a li- sed its membership in
brary to rural students in Bario (Ke- promoting internatio-
labit and Penan children). nal understanding and
She has also been Vice-President mutual respect.
of the Malaysian Children’s Aid So-
ciety and President of the Interna- Datin Pearl Jai Mohan re-
ceiving the Margarette Gol-
tional Women’s Association of Kuala ding Award from NR Juani-
ta Lee.
KATE HARGRAVES IN NEW ZEALAND
Another well-earned recipient of the Margarette
Golding Award is Kate Hargraves in New Zealand.
Kate is an Honorary member of the Inner Wheel
Club of Auckland East. She does everything with
a great enthusiasm and on an industrial scale. As
Co-ordinator for Operation Uplift she sent 20,000
bras to the Pacific Islands last year.
She is very involved in the City Mission, Breast
Cancer Foundation, Middlemore Hospital Founda-
tion, St Johns, and others.
Through her network she helps distribute Days
for Girls, recycled glasses, and children’s clothes and
books to the islands.
From the left Carol Haskett, Kate Hargraves and Diana Maher.
NANY SALEH IN EGYPT
Nany Saleh, Co- Founder and Bo- basic needs to positively impact
ard Chairman of The Right to Live their educational performance in
Association (RTLA) in Egypt, mem- school.
ber in IW Club of Cairo West, PNR
and DC in D95 Egypt & Jordan, has
also been awarded the MGA.
She has recieved it for her re-
lentless effort and life long service
serving individuals with special
needs and raising awareness about
integrating them in the community
and providing less fortunate stu-
dents in public schools with their
22 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020The future of Inner Wheel
THE YOUNGEST CLUB PRESIDENTS?
Kate Jocel A. Mendoza and Synthia Liouta. One you know any younger president? In Europe or in the
from the Philippines, one from Greece. Are they the the rest of the world? If so, please send information
youngest IW Presidents in the world/Europe? Or do about her to iiweditor.kerstin@gmail.com.
Kate Jocel A. Mendoza, became
Club President at the age of 20
in 2019, of IWC Pagadian, District
385, the Philippines. Probably the
youngest Club President in the
world at that time.
Synthia Liouta from Greece, be-
coming President at the age of 24
is now the youngest Club Presi-
dent in Europe (?). She is daughter
of Sissy Avgerinou, IIW PBD and
National President of the Philippines Synthia Liouta, Club President 2019-20
Amelia V. Jarin, Kate Jocel A. Mendoza grandaughter of Efi Avgerinou, IWC of IWC Patra-Europea, District 247 IW,
together with Phyllis Charter. Athens-North, D 247 Greece. Greece.
TUNG - AWARDED YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
P President Tung Yan Ning of IWC
Intan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
has been awarded Young Entre-
preneur of the Year at the annual
Star Outstanding Business Awards
(SOBA) 2019.
The passionate and award-win-
ning advocate of education in the
arts, Tung, 36, has raised Clazroom
Academy to be one of Malaysia’s
best multimedia arts colleges, col-
laborating with the likes of Mattel
and the New York Film Academy.
THE NEW GENERATION IN NIGERIA
President Iwm Yewande Oge Adebayo
and members of New Generation Club,
IWC of Garki Rubys, Nigeria, have visi-
ted SeChild Centre, a home for disab-
led children, as part of a social project.
Three wheel chairs, lots of food, sa-
nitary items and toiletries were dona-
ted to the centre. They were proudly
supported by their proud mummies,
members of IWC of Garki.
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 23Sissel H. Michelsen, Norway
FEMALE
GENITAL MUTILATION
MUST BE STOPPED NOW!
Sissel Høihjelle Michelsen, Norway, IIW Board Director 2015-2017, has
for many years been strongly committed to end female genital muti-
lation. Here she gives a straight to the point description of these hor-
rible acts and urges us to help all vulnerable sisters. The text below is
based on talks given by her in Varese, Italy and in Skagen, Denmark,
both in 2017.
As one of the world's largest wo- reflect the human development in Our private parts are private
men organisations, we must take that country. Maybe some of you So - what is Female Genital Mutila-
women's lives and health seriously, will see this as a harsh judgment, tion? To mutilate means to destroy
not only for our own members, but but as long as women are treated and remove - and is a word often
also for so many of our fellow sisters as second-class citizens and not as used in connection with war inju-
outside Inner Wheel! We must stop owners of their own body, we have ries and other crimes. This unjust
Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) – a job to do within Inner Wheel! Be- and cruel war on female genitalia
now! Many people still believe that ing well-informed is the first step to must be met by severe peace nego-
FGM only occurs in Africa, but that being able to make wise decisions. tiations on the same! Our female
is not true. FGM also takes place in Sometimes we have to stop talking body is just as it should be, though
Asia, especially and for a long time and start acting. And for me this is many of us are worried about be-
in Indonesia, Malaysia quite recent- now! Nothing positive comes out of ing too fat or too thin - everything
ly, and even in India - in a Muslim mere talking, nothing happens if it's is there for a purpose! Our genita-
minority. And with immigration to just an item on an agenda. Several lia - our private parts - are private
the rest of the world, FGM is present Inner Wheel countries are already and should not be interfered with
everywhere – even in my country. involved in this issue through va- by others without our consent. And
rious projects, but more could be it’s even worse when these horrible
We have a job to do done. For me the most heart-bre- acts happen to infants and little
The way in which women are tre- aking violence is that FGM delibe- girls, who can’t protest because
ated by their husbands, partners, rately destroys our sexual organs - they don't know what it's about.
fathers, brothers, in fact even by those that define us as women. Most important, no religion,
their own mothers and sons, may neither the Koran nor the Bible
mention this, that the female body
must be changed.
Unfortunately, for hundreds of
years this terrible custom has been
linked to religion, mainly to Islam,
but also to Christianity. The obvio-
us loss of sexual function speaks
for itself. In addition, there are of-
ten mental disorders, immediate or
long-term physical consequences,
chronic uterus and pelvic inflam-
mations, abnormal menstrual peri-
ods, kidney failures, infertility and
deaths in its wake.
24 |IIW Web Magazine No 3/2019 -2020An illegal act I have tried to give a true descrip- innocent girls! So my dear Inner
The physical consequences may tion of acts that leave both deep Wheel friends, what can we do?
depend on where the FGM takes physical and mental scars on mil- Do we just keep reading, listening,
place - often on the floor or on the lions of our fellow sisters. shaking our heads, looking at each
ground. Or that things are going other in horror - and then forget it
too fast. Because this is an illegal Together we can help! all the next day?
act in many countries, it is done And I haven’t written this to add Or do we look at each other and say
secretly and quickly. Even more further burdens on our sisters ex- - we don't want this to happen to
important for long-term physical posed to this cruelty, but to pre- our fellow sisters any longer – if we
injury is who performs the act; if it vent this harmful practice from can help it! Together we can!
is an unqualified person or which continuing to yet more masses of Sissel Høihjelle Michelsen
tools are used. The mutilators, usu-
ally women, often use pieces of
glass, razor blades and dirty knives
that have not been sterilised after
previous use. Often at infibulations
dirty thread or thorns are used to
keep the wound together. And it
must be opened by a doctor or by
the husband at marriage – often
with the husband’s own knife. I
shudder when I think about it.
The question is - how can this
abuse continue? There are mothers THIS IS FEMALE
and grandmothers who help main-
tain this barbaric custom - based on GENITAL MUTILATION
tradition. They have a lot to answer
for. There are 4 types of FGM. Types 1 only open for blood and urine to
and 2 are most common, but all are pass through. Also called infibu-
equally harmful and dangerous. lation. Here the clitoris can be
retained.
Type 1: Partial or total removal of Type 4: Any change of female ge-
clitoris. nital organs that does not have a
Type 2: Partial or total removal of medical function such as pricking,
the clitoris and pubic lips (the inter- piercing, cutting, scraping and cau-
nal and external genitalia surroun- terization (burning).
ding the vagina).
Type 3: The woman's pubic lips are What we know for sure about FGM:
sewn together so that the vagina is There are no health benefits - just
losses!
IIW Web Magazine 3/2019-2020 | 25You can also read
